Introduction to Training & Philosophy Training Session 1 PowerPoint Created by Suzanne Fitzgerald & Candice Styer info@sdesworks.com www.styer-fitzgerald.com

Welcome & Introductions Create your own welcome activity.

What are your goals for your students? What do you want them to accomplish? Example #1

The Styer-Fitzgerald Philosophy We believe that everyone can learn. We believe in designing an individualized program that meets the unique needs of every child, is age-appropriate and focuses on post-secondary outcomes. We believe that everything we teach in the classroom must transfer to life beyond school. We also believe that if our students are not learning, we are not teaching. Example #1

The Styer-Fitzgerald Program Guidelines What skills do my students need in order to be as independent AS POSSIBLE both now and in the future? Is this skill functional and meaningful? Is this a skill that they will encounter on a regular basis and will be able to learn, practice, and generalize? Is this skill age-appropriate? How will this skill increase my student’s quality of life? Am I evaluating and adjusting student programs frequently? Example #1

Type your district philosophy here Our District Life Skills Philosophy Type your district philosophy here Example #2

What is your Personal Teaching Philosophy? Describe your educational philosophy in 2-4 sentences. Example 1: I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites a sharing of ideas. Example 2: I believe each and every child has the potential to bring something unique and special to the world. As a teacher, I want to help children develop their potential by believing in them as capable individuals. I will assist children in discovering who they are, so they can express their own opinions and nurture their own ideas. Example #2 – It is recommended that you have your teacher’s come to the training prepared with their teaching philosophy.

Looking Ahead How will using The Styer-Fitzgerald Program, and the values behind it, support your educational philosophy and classroom? Are there any contradictions or issues that challenge your beliefs? After considering the Styer-Fitzgerald Guidelines, is there anything that encourages you to rethink your philosophy? Example #2

A Note From the Authors Dear Teachers, Our vision was to provide a program that allows you to assess your students, place them in an individualized program, track progress over time, provide consistency between content areas, and prepare your students with disabilities to be active and involved members of their community. We’ve worked closely with our publishers to develop a widely usable assessment and curriculum that retains the teacher, student, and classroom focus that was our original basis for the work. Since 2008, when the Program was first published, we have been honored to train and work with hundreds of teachers across the nation. We have seen the Program being implemented in multiple classrooms in both urban and rural school districts and have been humbled to hear stories of success from parents, teachers, paras, and administrators.   Our dream is to continue to reach students and help teachers like you to provide the best possible education for each child that enters your program.

A Note From the Authors Being teachers ourselves, we appreciate the many wonderful and demanding aspects of this job. We hope that once the Program is established in your classroom, things will feel a bit more manageable. We are constantly making changes to meet the needs of as many special educators as possible. We welcome feedback and suggestions and will continually adjust as we see fit.  Thank you for helping to improve the lives of people with disabilities and for everything you do for education. Welcome to the Styer-Fitzgerald community! Sincerely, Suzanne Fitzgerald & Dr. Candice Styer

Let’s Begin the Training

Training Session Videos Some Training Session Videos are currently available. Additional videos will be posted online as they become available. Instructions to access the videos will be sent to your administrator or are located in the front of your curriculum.

Continue to: Program & Materials Training Session 2